Page 33 of Come Break My Heart Again

Tucker Franklin is just one of those people it’s difficult to be depressed around.

“Won’t miss that drive to Leavenworth.”

“Won’t miss a lot about that place.”

Tuck snorts. “I bet. You sure you don’t want to hit Malone’s? Won’t be any women at the jobsite.”

“I’m sure,” I tell his smirk.

Sex isn’t worth enduring the stares and speculation at the local watering hole.

“Reese is excited to see you. She called a few days ago to check in, and I shared the good news. Hope that’s okay.”

“Of course,” I say absently, staring at Hank’s garage as we pass it by. It’s deserted now. Tuck’s uncle closed up shop a few years ago.

“Her folks are trying to get her to move down south with Knox, but she’s holding firm as far as I know.”

“Knox?”

“Her kid.”

“Oh. Right. Dad still isn’t around?”

“Nope.” There’s some anger in Tuck’s voice that tells me there’s more to the story. “He—he looks a lot like Phoenix.”

“Ah.”

“I’ve never asked. I don’t know for sure. And I can’t believe Reese would do that to you.”

“It wasn’t Phoenix’s fault, Tuck.”

Tucker scoffs. “You weren’t dealing, Ryder. You took the fall for that piece of shit and his brother, and they didn’t do a damn thing to help you.”

“I took the deal. If they’d come forward, they would have just ended up in there with me.”

He shakes his head. “You’re too forgiving, man.”

I swallow. “It’s finally behind me. I want it all to stay there.”

“Okay. Message received.”

“So, how’s wedding planning going?” I don’t manage to get the whole question out without laughing.

Tuck groans. “We don’t have to talk about it.”

“Nah, I’m really asking. How is it?”

I was shocked when Tucker told me he was engaged. He and Keira dated on and off for part of senior year, then broke up in college. After graduating, Keira moved back to Fernwood to start her own restaurant. Tuck was still living here, working for Hank and getting his construction business going. They had reconciled and didn’t waste much time deciding it was permanent.

I’m trying to be supportive, same as Tuck has always been toward me. To get over the surprise of my best friend gettingmarriedto a woman I barely know. To not resent who her best friend happens to be.

“It’s good,” he tells me. “Venue is booked. Band is booked. Invitations go out next week. Keira’s still deciding on her dress. And the food. We’re going cake tasting this weekend.”

“That all sounds great, man.”

“Yeah, it is. Keira’s amazing. You’ll have to come over for dinner soon, get to know her better.”

“I’d like that.” My fingers tap a nervous rhythm against the door.Fuck it. “They’re still friends?”

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